The Cubs are streaking, with hopes on improving their dismal first half of the season.  They have the day off today, after winning their first 6 games since the All Star Break.  This has not happened to a Cubs team in 81 years.  If they can continue to emulate that 1935 team, they can get back to the World Series.  The 1935 Cubs finished the regular season with a 21-game winning streak, to match the 1880 record when the Cubs were known as the Chicago White Stockings.  Their cross-town American League rival then shortened that name to White Sox in 1901, and stole the 1906 World Series from the National League Cubs.  This despite the best winning record and winning percentage in modern baseball history to date  (116 games .763).  The two Chicago teams have not met in the season Finale since, and it’s not likely to happen this year.

The White Sox continue to struggle but have arguably the best stable of prospects in baseball.  I’m encouraged that in a couple of years this will transpose into victories where we might see a Cross-Town World Series once again.  The Cubs can equal their historic back-to-back World Series winning feat of 1907 and 1908, with the 2017 Championship.  That was not looking promising prior to and including the All-Star break.  The Cubs entered the break two games below .500, including a devastating six- game losing streak in their road trip to California.  (Posts #98 and #101).  Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo also struck out in the fashion department, sporting “Anchorman” leisure suits in a mis-played attempt to stay loose for the trip.  Schwarber was eventually sent down to the minors for some swing rehabilitation, while every Cub from last year’s All-Star team, including Rizzo, failed to get the necessary votes.  Only Coach Madden, his assistants, and Wade Davis traveled to Miami.  Cub frustration continued at the end of the All-Star game, as both Davis and Madden were credited for the National League loss.

After the California road disaster, the Cardinals series proved to be the necessary healing toxin.  With the current six-game win streak on the road, it’s the Cardinals once again that can make or break the Cubs season.  This rivalry was refueled in Miami, as golden-boy, Yadier Molina, seemed destined to win the MVP.  Instead, Davis made it possible for Robinson Cano to earn that distinction.  Cardinal fans were furious, conveniently forgetting about last year’s game where their man, Aledmys Diaz, killed a potential winning rally by hitting into an inning-ending double-play.  That cost the Cubs home field advantage for the Series, whereas the Davis pitch, that Yadi might have called, had no effect on the Cardinals team whatsoever.

The Cubs are currently only one game out of the Central Division lead and four games over .500.  It’s a great start to the second half of the season, especially if they can go on to sweep the Cardinals at Wrigley.  The Cubs did get immediate benefit out of their White Sox trade, bringing Jose Quintana to the starting rotation.  The move bolstered the White Sox future with the addition of two promising top prospects.  Also, the trade of Todd Frazier and David Robertson to the Yankees opened the door for Yoan Moncada to make his much anticipated White Sox debut.  In addition, more future prospects from the Yankees camp were added to the White Sox team of the future.  The bottom-feeding White Sox, stripped of their veterans, were predictably swept by the top-ranked Dodgers, and the streaking Cubs can make a powerful statement to the Cardinals, while taking another bite out of the Brewer lead in the Central.

As much as I hate the Damn Yankees, I have to give credit to Aaron Judge.  I’m trying really hard to tolerate him and his enthusiastic entourage of obnoxious, gavel-pounding Big Apple fans.    He was awesome to watch in the Home Run Derby, but I was glad that he didn’t win the MVP, as well.  Apparently he’s now joined the ranks of Kyle Schwarber in that roller coaster ride to greatness.  The “Mighty Schwarber” (Post #64) was humbled in his fall to the minors, but is now occasionally back in the Cubs line-up.  “The Judge” is apparently experiencing a similar Freshman slump, hitting a miserable .115 since the All-Star break.  Maybe he’ll get to play the White Sox again?  The Cubs get to play the Sox four times after the Cardinals come to town.  Will they have a 13-game winning streak after leaving Guaranteed Rate Field?  Maybe 17 straight after leaving Milwaukee?  Then they get a day off to think about 5 more consecutive victories at home against Arizona and Washington to surpass the 1935 Cubs.  In fact, I could see them in San Francisco on Monday, August 7th, going for their 23rd consecutive victory!  Dream on…..

Go…Cubs…Go